Geelong has offered its future first-round selection for Essendon defender Jordan Ridley.
The Cats emerged as a potential landing spot for Ridley a fortnight ago as they look to bolster their defensive stocks.
Geelong is keen to get aggressive in the trade period, especially after they missed out on Zak Butters, who has departed Port Adelaide as a free agent and nominated the Western Bulldogs.
North Melbourne has shown its interest in the injury-prone Bomber, but the Cats have potentially swooped in, using their 2027 top selection to get a deal done, according to a report on AFL Trade Radio.
It's understood Essendon want more than Geelong's future first-round pick given the Cats' likely premiership contention compounded by Tasmania's major influence on the draft.
Ridley is contracted until the end of 2029.
He has wanted out of Tullamarine for a number of years, and had interest from multiple clubs around the competition.
Geelong are also heavily into St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall for the second successive season.
The Saints denied a Marshall move last year, but are open to engaging in a trade, if the deal is right, given he is contracted.
The Cats have Picks 14, 32, 50 and 68 in this year's intake.
